LAHORE, Jan 9: The PML-N on Friday demonstrated in front of the Punjab Assembly Secretariat to demand the release of Javed Hashmi, Asif Ali Zardari and other political prisoners.

Some PPP legislators also joined the demonstration. The MMA also made a symbolic participation. PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah alleged that the government was trying to bulldoze the opposition. But, he said, it would resist all machinations and sustain in its struggle for the supremacy of the Constitution and parliament.

He said Mr Hashmi had been arrested without any justification. Similarly, Mr Zardari had been behind bars for the past seven years although not a single charge had been proved against him.

Provincial president Zulfikar Khosa said an individual was taking all decisions for the nation, bypassing the parliament. Saad Rafiq said the opposition would resist all illegal steps. PPP leader Samiullah Khan alleged that the entire country had been converted into a prison. He said although the government had tried to legally block former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif's return to power for a third time, the ARD would frustrate all such plans.

The participants raised slogans against the government and in favour of their leaders. The MMA was represented by Ehsanullah Waqas and Dr Wasim.